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I shake my head. “No, I just don’t have any.”
His brows furrow as he studies me. I hate that he’s trying to figure me out. “Did you not live in the clubhouse?”
I nod. “I did, but I don’t have any clothes. Now, are we done? I’m tired and would like to sleep.”
I catch Elio’s jaw clenching. “We’re done,” he tells me. “But remember my words, Teagan, you run—”
I wave him off. “You’ll find me. Yeah, I heard the threat.”
Does he not know that I’m not afraid of him? That there’s nothing he can do to me that hasn’t already been done?
He places a card on the coffee table, along with a key, some cash, and a bank card. “This is for you.”
I stare at the items in disbelief. Why is he giving me money and access to his bank?
“Use them however you want.”
That’s not going to happen. I won’t be using his money. Hell, I’d rather not have anything from him.
I cross my arms and look at both men. I’m beyond tired, I’m scared, and I want to be alone. I’m not stupid enough to go running, because if I do, the first place they’ll look is at the shelter, and I won’t let them near Portia or Nell. No way, no how. So I’ll stay and do exactly what he wants, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be thinking of ways to escape this hell without putting my friends in danger.
The Gallo’s nod and turn on their heels. Once the door closes behind them, I’m able to breathe. I look around the apartment and wonder what I did in another life to deserve being kept by men like some animal.
The door opens and Elio walks in with a piece of material in his hands. “Here,” he says. “You’ll need something to sleep in.” He puts the item of clothing on the table. “I’ll be back tomorrow,” he tells me, although it seems more like a threat. He doesn’t wait for me to say anything, just leaves as quickly as he came.
I stare at the t-shirt, my heart beating so fast I feel as though it’s about to explode out of my chest. Why did he give it to me? Why did he bring it to me? I’m so confused. One minute, he hates me, and the next he’s being nice by giving me something to wear.
I decide to put him and his actions out of my mind and instead go to take a shower. The thought of having a shower excites me. The warm water, no time limit… I can scrub myself until I’m red raw and enjoy it.
Over an hour later and I’m cleaner than I have been in a very long time. Elio’s t-shirt is on my body and falls to below my knees, but it covers me completely. I washed the clothes I was wearing and they’re hanging in the bathroom to dry.
I’ve never felt so lucky and unlucky at the same time. Elio has given me a blessing, one that I never thought I’d have. The ability to be clean whenever I want. But he’s also given me a lifetime of doom. He’s marrying me, and that means he’s going to take whatever the hell he wants from me, whenever he wants it.
The thought makes my stomach roll and nausea burn through me. God, he’s going to rape me just like the Demons did.
I want to scream. I survived that shit before, but God, I prayed that it would never happen again. Now, I have no choice. I’m going to be Elio’s wife, and he’ll want sex. Whether or not I want it won’t matter to him.
I’ll have to regress into that state of mind, go back to that numbness I felt when I was at the clubhouse.
I crawl into bed and close my eyes tightly. Everything I’ve worked hard at trying to overcome is going to be for nothing. I’ll be back to where I was, only this time, my hell will be one man. Elio Gallo.
* * *
I wake with a start.It’s bright, the light from outside shining through the huge window. I left the curtains open, wanting to feel less caged in. I climb out of bed, desperate to pee. I’m groggy as I enter the bathroom, so it’s not until I’m on my way out of the room that I notice the clothes that I had hanging up drying are gone.
My heart pounds mercilessly, and I feel a coldness seep into my bones. Someone’s been here.
I quietly pad through the apartment, wondering who the hell it is. My stomach drops when I see Elio sitting on the couch. A suitcase beside him. Oh God, tell me he’s not moving in.
“You could have knocked,” I say dryly, pissed that he’s scared the life out of me. “Where are my clothes?”
“Those ratty things are in the bin,” he says without turning his head. “There are some new ones for you in the suitcase. They should fit.” He gets to his feet. “I was going to wake you, but you looked peaceful,” he says as he steps into my space. His eyes are softer than I have seen them.
This man confuses me to no end. One minute he’s cold and mean, and the next he’s being sweet. I can’t deal with it. The whiplash is making me doubt everything.
“Um, thanks,” I respond warily. “But why did you let yourself in?”
His grin sends a weird sensation over me. Something I’ve never felt before. This grin isn’t evil or conniving. It’s a nice one and it makes him look less scary. “Sorry to disappoint, babe, but I have access to this apartment. I wanted to drop the clothes off to you, along with this cell. My number’s programmed. Call me if you need me.”
